Documenting Tuatapere – One Step, One Track, One Photo at a Time


By Mike Goodwin – Advento Photography

Over the past few weeks, I’ve embarked on a personal photography project that’s close to my heart — capturing every walking track, park, and street in Tuatapere to create a visual record of the town as it is today.

My goal is simple: to document our community for future generations. Tuatapere has changed so much over the decades, and many of our most beautiful places are hidden in plain sight — especially the native bush walking tracks that make up the Tui Trails network.

This project isn’t funded or commissioned by any group. It’s something I’ve taken on myself as a contribution to the community I care about. Along the way, I’ve chosen to share some of the images with the local archives so they can be preserved, but this is entirely my own initiative — done out of passion, not obligation.


🌿 The Magic of the Tui Trails

The walking tracks around Tuatapere are some of the best-kept secrets in Southland. From peaceful riverside paths like Elder Drive Track to the lush forest of Lillian’s Loop, every trail offers something unique.

What makes them truly special, though, is the feeling they give you.

You're surrounded by the sounds of bellbirds, tui, and fantails — with the cheeky little piwakawaka often flitting along the path beside you, almost as if they’re guiding you on your way. The stillness of the bush, the towering native trees, and the trickle of creeks offer a kind of peace that’s hard to find elsewhere.

And best of all? These walks are completely free, right on our doorstep, and open to everyone.


📍 What to Expect

I’ll be sharing photos, descriptions, and histories of each track — including:

  • Heritage Orchard Walk
  • Greenheart Reserve
  • McLeod’s Track
  • Alton Terrace Walk
  • Domain Bush Walk
  • Elder Drive Track
  • Keith Thomson’s Walk
  • Lillian’s Loop

Each location will include GPS tagging, images from along the track, and a short story or background for you to enjoy. Whether you’re a local looking to reconnect with these spaces, or a visitor discovering Tuatapere for the first time, I hope my work helps you see just how special this place is.


🤝 Get Involved

If there’s a street, park, or hidden gem around Tuatapere you think I should include, feel free to reach out. I’m always looking for local suggestions — this is about representing the whole town, and I’d love your input.


📣 Follow My Journey

I’ll continue posting galleries here, as well as on Facebook, Google Maps, and in some cases sharing select images with the community archives.

👉 If you enjoy my photography and community projects, please follow along for more updates, stories, and visual journeys around Tuatapere and beyond. Your support helps me keep doing what I love — sharing the beauty of the world around us, one frame at a time.